Ahlan, Arabic lovers! Yesterday, the Arabic version of Google participated in the wide celebrations of the UAE 44 National Day اليوم الوطني by changing the Google Doodle into the colors of the Emirati flag and sharing an image of Qasr Al-Hosn قصر الحصن as an “O”. Here is some brief information about the country.
Google commemorates UAE National Day
Foundation & Government
After the declaration of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from its colonies in the middle East, the country was established on 2nd December, 1971 as a Federation of seven emirates; Abu Dhabi أبو ظبى (the capital), Ajman عجمان, Dubai دبى, Al-Fujairah الفجيرة, Ras Al-Khaimah رأس الخيمة, Al-Sharjah الشارقة and Umm Al-Quwain أم القيوين. Hence came the name of (دولة الامارات العربية المتحدة) the United Arab Emirates.
Each emirate is governed by an absolute ruler (Sheikh شيخ). Those rulers (Sheikhs شيوخ) together, form the Federal Supreme Council مجلس الإتحاد الأعلى.
One of those rulers (Sheikhs) is elected to be president of the whole country.
The founder first president was Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان.
The current president is Sheik Kalifah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan الشيخ خليفة بن زايد آل نهيان.
The Prime Minister is Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم.
Geography
The United Arab Emirates is located in the Middle East الشرق الأوسط and the Arabian Peninsula شبهالجزيرة العربية. It occupies a strategic location on the southern entrance to the Hormuz Strait مضيقهرمز which is a vital point for producing and transporting crude oil. It also overlooks the Arabian Gulf الخليجالعربي.
It borders with Oman عـُـمـان to the east and Saudi Arabia السعودية to the south. It also shares sea borders with Qatar قطر and Iran إيران.
Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate with an 87 % of the country’s total area. Ajman is the smallest.
Dubai has the largest natural harbor although other harbors have been dredged in other places.
Numerous islands are found in the Arabian Gulf and some of them are still a subject for dispute with both Iran and Qatar.
The desert area of Abu Dhabi has two important oases واحات with good reserves of underground water which makes them suitable for permanent settlements and cultivation.
Religion & Language
Islam is the largest and official religion of the UAE. However, the government follows a tolerant policy towards other religions. Arabic is the official language. English is also widely spoken.
Economy
UAE has the second largest economy إقتصاد in the gulf area after Saudi Arabia.
Petroleum البترول and natural gas الغاز الطبيعي play the most important part in the economy of the country.
Dubai has the smallest oil reserves so that it has depended on other resources like tourism السياحة.
Dubai is the fifth most popular destination وجهة in the world.
The UAE has the most advanced infrastructure بنيةتحتية in the region.
The UAE has a population of only 1.4 million Emirati citizens.
There are about 8.7 million expatriates living and working in UAE.
Well, I was born near the city of Rasheed or Rosetta, Egypt. Yes, the city where the Rosetta Stone was discovered. It is a small city on the north of Egypt where the Nile meets the Mediterranean. I am a Teacher of EFL.
